reena saini kallat

Black Flute
8 - 23 Oct

In the current exhibition, Reena Saini Kallat employs two of her favourite pictorial devices; working on singular surfaces that hold a constellation of inter-related images and at the same time releasing an idea into a multi-part portfolio format. Her image bank comprises of mythological references as well as those from contemporary life alluding to the fiction and reality, the poetics and politics of the current social condition.

For instance in the series, "Sword-Swallower" a range of images break loose almost like pollutants from the atmosphere being synthesized on the paper surface.
Portraits of people culled from a congregation either celebrating a happy/festive occasion or mourning the loss of loved ones are seen surrounded in a world infested by demons, vines, botanical plant forms, lethal weapons adorned with life affirming forms, destroyed religious monuments, etc.

Her ten part portfolio titled, "Swordplay (Gallery of Rogues)" brings forth many disguised actors/entertainers, who like world leaders cloaked in power and veiled behind a cause, perform a non-stop jugglery with weapons of mass destruction.